A couple of times a year, the Red Apple Auctions team works a gala that has booked headline entertainment as part of its show. One of those events is the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) gala, one of Washington, DC's top fundraising events. This year the organization announced that over $1 million was raised. Among other things, that means that a lot of children in DC's public schools will have access to an arts education. I like to say, a bit tongue-in-cheek, that Red Apple Auctions ... Read On >
Live Auctions
Offer delivery to attract bidders to large benefit auction items
Last week I wrote about selling holiday trees in your gala. I didn't include an important piece of information that can really cripple the sale of those benefit auction items: delivery. Auction guests often look at trees -- or any large cumbersome item -- and think, "How would I ever get it home?" They admire it, but they won't bid. In fact, they'll often talk themselves out of bidding because getting the item home seems like too much work. To address this concern, offer delivery to the ... Read On >
Holiday trees increase benefit auction revenues
If you're looking to boost benefit auction revenues and your event is late November or December, your acquisitions strategy could include decorated holiday trees. Here are some ideas. 1. At one school auction gala, one of the live auction items was a tree decorated with 100 $1 scratch-off lottery tickets. Not only is the winning bidder buying a lovely tree, but with a hundred scratch-off tickets, the bidder could be taking home a goldmine. 2. At another school auction, the student-decorated ... Read On >
Where to get charity auction items
Wondering where to get charity auction items? If you’re new to auction fundraisers, you might not realize all of your options. There are three primary ways to secure items. 1. The traditional way is to ask friends, family, and businesses for donated items. This is the most common approach and generally the best because it garners you the greatest returns. The donor might give you a product from their place of business, agree to let you sell a one week stay in their ... Read On >
Explosions can boost bidding at charity auctions
I don't always open my Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) e-newsletter each month. This time, I couldn't click fast enough. The subject line was "Watch the demolition of an old power plant." If you're looking for some unique benefit auction item ideas, that's one! Imagine, the chance to watch -- live -- the destruction of the plant in a nearby (but protected) area. Maybe even the chance to walk around the grounds with FPL execs after the big blow-up. If FPL was a sponsor at any Space ... Read On >